We as teachers are always striving for the best possible learning outcomes for ALL children, so it is vital that every lesson is the best that it can be for all learners. Teaching can be a field of trial and error at times, and if a teacher states that every single lesson they teach is outstanding or runs smoothly, then an untruth would be spoken from their lips. This week we are going to be focusing on teaching methods. A teaching method relates to how a lesson or particular part of a lesson is coordinated. There are many forms of teaching method that contribute to make an outstanding lesson. Great teachers can adapt lessons accordingly with teaching methods to best suit all learners in the classroom. This may even include multiple teaching methods in one lesson. As I mentioned earlier, teaching does involve some trial and error to develop that perfect formula, so try different teaching methods to see what works and what doesn’t. And remember, lessons can change instantly and an outstanding teacher will spot if a method is not working with the children and throw in another method instantly to give the lesson and learning objective a new approach. Poor teachers will not change, whether it is within the lesson, or for the next lesson. Below, I have written a list of various teaching methods that I have used in the classroom. Each method has been broken down into pros, cons and planning to help you decide which method/s would best fit your learners and learning objectives.
Method | Pros | Cons | How to plan |
Cooperative Learning  (group work/ paired work)
 
|
good for team building, building peer to peer relationships
Students learn how to share, to be patient, and to respect |
Some students do not get on with one another students with few friends may feel isolated dominant students try to take over or control
Students with greater knowledge and understanding may try to act superior |
Get some background info on the children: who works well together and who would misbehave or not gel if partnered together? Could you pair a G&T with an SEN? Would it work? Do the children work better in single sex groups or mixed? Are there children that work better by themselves? |
Creative thinking           (lists, spider diagrams, Q&A)
|
Allows all pupils to get involved .
inspires pupils to come up with new ideas. helps you as a teacher find out what the group know. a ‘knock-on’ effect of one idea from another can be created |
Children may have a tendency to call out rather than raise hands.         The main focus of the topic might veer into a different direction, and away from the point.
If the children have a lack of topic knowledge it will not work |
Make sure you pick a topic that the children can give answers to Set a time limit. This will prevent veering off into different directions and will prevent the children from getting bored.
Only pick children with hands up rather than shouters, and pick children that may not be so assertive in giving answers |
Multimedia                       (Audio CD, DVD, YouTube, internet etc…) | Gets the children interested and engaged.
A great, and cheap way to have information at the click of a button, with endless possibilities (hyperlinks) A great alternative to a teacher constantly standing at the front of the class talking Also very good for teacher sharing |
Can spark low level disruption, E.g. chatting over DVDs or chatting when setting up.           Internet is not always full proof and can break down.                 The children can get over excited or lost in a video or audio, thus pulling them away from the focus of the topic. | Always be prepared for if the internet is down, or your website that your whole lesson is based around, has now been closed down!
Get the children doing another task whilst you are setting up. If the children talk during a video, pause it! Remind them! |
Lecturing | You can teach specifically in a direct approach, focusing around targeted areas.
The lesson can provoke and spark interest that can lead to further discussion or research. The only room for error will be from your behalf. |
Keeping the attention and focus of the children for long periods No guaranteed way of know if what you are teaching is being completely understood it is all teacher talk and not enough student response, the children are just sitting and listening. | Putting a time limit on your lecture should prevent you spending a whole lesson just talking. Add in other methods to keep young children engaged.
Make sure your content is accurate and that you explain your objectives clearly and precisely. |
Next week, I will issue part 2 of teaching methods highlighting all of the advantages and disadvantages, and tips on how to plan for these methods.
These blogs are primarily to help out all teachers alike. Please feel free to add comments or additions to these blogs as they would be very much appreciated :0)
Andy T